The Preschool SLP

59. Challenge Creates Change: Why Complex Speech Targets Lead to Faster Progress


Listen Later

In speech therapy, we often focus on quantity—how many times a child should produce a treatment target correctly in a session. But research (and lived practice) shows that quality and complexity of the treatment target matter even more.

In this episode, I share:
 ✅ Why complex treatment targets (like paragraphs) accelerate change faster than simple word reps
 ✅ Two studies I conducted with graduate students showing greater gains with fewer repetitions
 ✅ How paragraph-level practice boosts language, executive function, and speech simultaneously
 ✅ Why therapy should look more like high-intensity interval training (HIIT) than rote drilling
 ✅ How challenge creates change—and why children thrive when pushed to higher-level goals

Stop counting reps and start focusing on meaningful challenge.

👉 Want my downloadable complex treatment target paragraphs plus cutting-edge weekly activities? Join the SIS Membership today: https://www.kellyvess.com/sis

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Preschool SLPBy Kelly Vess, MA, CCC-SLP